A leading candidate to take over the placekicking duties after serving as Paul Edinger's top apprentice the last two years . . . also acts as the Spartans' back-up punter . . . averaged 39.3 yards on three punts in the 2000 Green-White spring game . . .

AS A SOPHOMORE: Made two special teams appearances in 1999, kicking an extra point vs. Eastern Michigan and kicking off once vs. Iowa . . .

AS A FRESHMAN: Named to the Academic All-Big Ten Team in 1998 . . . handled all the placekicking duties vs. Central Michigan after All-American Paul Edinger suffered a sprained right ankle vs. Michigan . . . made 13 special teams appearances vs. Central Michigan and scored eight points, hitting one-of-two field-goal attempts and all five extra points . . . converted his first career field-goal attempt, from 38 yards, early in the second quarter . . . averaged 35.9 yards on nine punts in the 1998 spring game, including a 52-yarder . . .

1997 SEASON: Redshirted . . .

HIGH SCHOOL AND PERSONAL DATA: Featured on The Detroit News Dream Team . . . first-team all-state selection by the Detroit Free Press and Associated Press . . . three-year starter as punter and placekicker for Coach Doug Fraser at Seaholm High School in Birmingham, Mich. . . . also a two-way starter as a junior and senior, playing both wide receiver and cornerback . . . tied the state single-season record for field goals made with 12 in 1996 . . . had 34 catches for 486 yards (14.3 avg.) and eight touchdowns as a senior . . . also credited with 33 tackles in '96 . . . averaged 39.3 yards on 47 punts as a senior . . . tied the state career record for field goals made with 27 . . . kicked a career-long 50-yard field goal vs. Troy as a junior . . . converted 59-of-60 career extra-point attempts (.983) . . . two-year starter at small forward on the basketball team . . . averaged 10.4 points and 5.1 rebounds as a senior in 1996-97 . . . born Dec. 28, 1978, in Milwaukee, Wis. . . . majoring in finance.